New driving simulator tested by Treasurer

Queensland Treasurer Andrew Fraser says a new driving simulator should help reduce the road toll.

Researchers in Brisbane are now able to use the $1.5 million simulator at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to study how drivers react in different situations.

Mr Fraser says it is a unique tool designed to study the effects of drugs and alcohol, driver distraction and fatigue.

"This set of kit, an Australian first, is here to provide the sort of research about driver behaviour, about the sort of things that can reduce the road toll, can cut back on the tragedy that so many people know only too personally and that's why this is a great project," he said.

Mr Fraser took a turn on the simulator himself and judged it "an amazing piece of Australian technology".